Cogito, ergo sum. I think, therefore I am. (René Descartes, mathematician and philosopher,1599-1650)

Saturday 22 June 2013

Lockington's Everyday Fiji ... Life Goes On


Vinaka Higgins

While driving from Nadi this morning I happen to follow a Higgins truck. I had to smile and say thank you Higgins for their motto that was printed on the back of the truck. It read, "Do it Once, Do it Well."

I said, Damn. If only the former road upgrading authorities were this good, we would have saved millions of dollars in the continuous repairs of same roads. For the record some roads were repaired so often the workers could have set up permanent camp sites in the vicinity.

Anway, vinaka Higgins. One big tanoa of yaqona will be waiting for you when you come to Mulomulo. With that kind of motto, I know you will soon repair the Mulomulo road.

 Meanwhile I'm of to Lautoka to get my dust masks from Mr Wise Muavono and to visit the sekoula tree and its inhabitants. I heard they call themselves the classic grog drinkers.

                              Pay Issue

A young friend graduated last year from USP with a teaching degree. He is now teaching in a secondary school in Nadi. He earns approximately  $340 net a fortnight.

While having lunch with his mates who work at various places the issue of pay came up. One of the guys works at a coffee shop and it was revealed that he earns  $450 a fortnight working six days a week. A few more of his mates work at other outlets and earn about the same.  These guys do not have degrees or diplomas and earn the same as the graduate who spent four  years at University.

Its funny how one spends time studying and when one starts work  one only gets the same as those without degrees or diplomas  who started work four years earlier.


Allen Lockington is a self-employed customs agent and business consultant who has regular articles published in Fiji. I thank Allen for permission to reprint some of them in this political blog. They remind us that life goes on, whatever the political situation. And it's good to know that.


2 comments:

Din Maro said...

The teacher should count himself lucky.

Some parents spent between $60,000 and $100,000 on getting the children educated as pilots, and they get less than that teacher, flying for our very own pacific sun. Meanwhile, any chance of promotion to a higher payscale is blocked by the continued hiring of expats. This despite the Essential Industries Decree 2011 which blocks union activity, the same union activity which was always the excuse they used before to bring in expats.

Anonymous said...

something tells me that this teacher should find another job